Our new boat is actually an old one--a 1986 Bayliner 4550 Pilothouse that for a decade or longer had lived two slips down from us at our marina, owned by a commercial airline pilot who rarely had time to spend on her.  One Saturday in July, 2008 he posted a "for sale" sign, and by the following Wednesday we had her under contract. 

We loved the classic lines and spacious, well designed floor plan but we weren't feeling the love for the interior decor that hadn't been updated since the late 1980's. Anyone for some coppertone appliances? Faded and stained blue carpet? Grasscloth wallpaper? Anyone? Someone? No?  Let the renovations begin...